Sophie called out. "We take a right at the next split."
Stain nodded and called out, "Ott, just keep holding the shield. Raven, just keep running. I will turn the shield." How he was going to do that was beyond my understanding. Suddenly the split appeared and a large force slammed into the left side of my shield, jolting it sideways towards the opening that Sophie had indicated. Raven kept running, the wind whipping her hair behind her in a tail. We kept rolling and at each turn Stain would move the shield in the direction needed. As we rolled magical traps sprang, soldiers jumped out to attack. All were deflected or crushed by the shield, cast sideways and away.
"I am starting to wear out my friend." Victor called out.
Stain looked at Conium, "Your turn."
She nodded and her magic whipped outwards to hold us all suspended in the air.
We kept traveling deeper and deeper into the mountain.
"We are almost there." Sophie cried out. "The campsite is just around this turn."
Stain suddenly applied a large force to the shield and it slowed down. Raven tumbled head over heels and slid up the side of the shield
Righting herself she looked at Stain. "A little warning old man." She sat down and rubbed her legs. She had run a long ways to get us to this point.
Stain looked at me. "Let the shield go, but be ready to cast it again at a moments notice."
I let the shield go and Conium allowed us all to settle back down on the ground. We all looked around for danger, yet there was none to be found. Sophie started forward yet Victor grabbed her.
"Fighters first young lady." He stepped forward, pulling his sword out. He moved to the front of the group and led the way to the turn. He leaned around and then slid around. We followed slightly behind. We made the turn and were met with the view of Victor facing an enormous beast being ridden by the man. Victor was standing his ground, his sword held at the ready. We rushed up to support him.
"What kind of creature is that?" Mophar whispered.
Stain must have heard and turned his head, "A failed attempt to create a large version of a dragonette. It is not intelligent, can not fly, or breath fire. It can, however, fight really well. They called it a dragon."
As if responding to Stain the dragon whipped a claw outwards at the group. All of us threw up shields yet the blow nearly bowled us over. The power in the creature was immense and it's weight alone was a weapon. It whipped it's claw around again, catching all of us on the side of the shields. We went tumbling across the open space to rest among a pile of debris. The dragon trumpeted loudly, ringing the cavern with it's call.
I stood up and growled, "This came from a dragonette, right?" I asked Stain as it looked at us.
"Right. What are you planning?" Stain seemed worried.
"Pat has a weakness that I discovered accidentally Let's see if it was passed along." I pulled hard on my magic and formed a large earth shield. It was so dense it looked like a rock. I focused and shoved the shield away from me and at the dragon, but in an unexpected spot, at the tip of his tail. The shield connected and the force of the shield flattened the tip of it's tail. The dragon's bellow shook the cavern even more than it's call. It jumped upwards and struck it's head against the ceiling of the cavern. Falling to the ground the dragon wobbled and finally laid down, it's eyes slowly closing and it's head falling sideways.
We all picked ourselves up and climbed from the rubble. The dragon was out cold. No sight of the man who had ridden it.
"We need to talk later about that, but well done." Stain headed past the dragon and laid a hand upon it's side. A burst of magic writhed through the dragon's skin and it started to glow. "We need to find that man, now."
We all rushed past the now glowing dragon. It was shrinking slowly as the glow grew brighter. We made it past the dragon and could see a camp further into the cavern Stain was rushing towards the camp yet I could see the man was ahead of him and he had a sword pulled out. He was running at a set of caged areas.
"NO!" I cried suddenly and shot out a burst of magic. A flame of fire magic whipped from me and arrowed in upon the man. It struck him and he tumbled to the ground, fire covering his entire body, consuming his clothes. He screamed and thrashed around as he tried to put the fire out. Stain ran faster and I could feel him pull upon his magic. Suddenly the flames went out, yet the damage was already done.
We walked up on the man and he was burned across most of his body. He looked up through the burns, his eyes unharmed.
"You. Can. Not Win." He gasped out as he died.
We stood there a moment in shock, me most of all. I had never used fire magic, I had no clue how I had done what I did.
"Check on everyone. Conium, you are with Sophie. Raven with Victor. Ott and I will stay here and keep watch." Stain gave firm commands. Each group went off to follow his commands. He turned to me. "Well, that was unexpected. Although it is normal for anger and rage to cause the fire magic to react a little more than the rest." He looked at me as if I was going to be sick. "Are you going to be okay?"
I sat down and looked at Stain. "I did not mean to kill him. I just thought that he had to be stopped."
Stain nodded and sat down. "That is how most mages actually discover they are mages. A moment of panic or anger and the magic comes out. At least you got an evil person. That is not always the case."
We sat there for a few minutes and waited to hear from the others. First back were Victor and Raven. They walked with two others. One obviously Charles. The other was an older man who seemed to know Victor.
"We found them in the cages. Well kept but confined." Victor was the first to speak.
Charles walked up to Stain and pulled him into a massive bear hug. "I knew if I was to be saved then it would be by the great and mighty Stain!"
"I still need air!" Stain gasped out. Charles dropped him and looked around. Spying me he looked close. "Ah, this would be Ott?" He pulled me up and hugged me. "Welcome to the family."
I looked at him in astonishment. How did he know about me?
Seeing my look he smiled, "My captors thought it would dishearten me to watch my friends continue without me there. However it allowed me to stay up to speed on what was occurring" He looked around, "Where is the rest of the party? Surely you brought many soldiers to have made it this far."
Stain smiled and shook his head. "We came with just a few more companions. We deemed a small party most likely to succeed. Which seems to have worked."
Charles looked backwards, "Someone is coming. Some of ours?"
Stain looked and nodded, "You could say that."
Conium and Sophie were returning with a small group of people behind them. These must be Sophie's family.
Conium walked up to Stain and sat down. "We found what was left of her family. But there are a few others also. No soldiers or others left in the camp. They must have fled." She took a deep drink of one of her vials, this one glowing purple.
Stain looked around. "I do not feel this place is safe. We need to get back to the mountain top. Quickly."
Victor nodded, "I know the way. I never forget a path I have traveled."
Stain pointed. "Led them out. The rest of us will catch up."
Victor led Charles, Sophie, and the rest up the cavern back the way we had come. Stain stood up and motioned for Raven, Conium, and myself to wait.
"Every time a group of people is in a place for a period of time they leave marks of who they are and what they are doing. I want us to explore this site and gather any and all information that we can. I want to know who these people were and what they had planned. Our actions stopped it, yet it could still occur. And they came from somewhere." He led the way into the camp. We each started going through different areas. Finding small clues; coins from distant lands, unique spices, even letters. Eventually a picture started to form.
"Mercenaries." Conium stated. "That's what these were."
Stain nodded, "That would seem to be correct. Now let's find out about th
eir leader." He led the way to an opulent area and we proceeded to go through his belongings. After a period of time we finished and all sat down.
"Well, I would like to say I know everything about the man who kidnapped Charles and put this whole operation into motion. However, I have very little to go on." Stain looked around. "Any thoughts?"
Conium spoke up, "I believe he was a mage from outside of the kingdom. He also liked spicy food."
Raven mentioned, "He had some ability with weapons yet he lacked any of real quality."
I thought a moment, "We did not find any magical artifacts. Nothing enchanted."
Stain thought for a moment, "This all fits with my suspicions. Let's get back up to the surface and if I am right we will receive a few more clues and I might be able to start piecing this puzzle together." He stood up and led the way back. We walked slowly back to the shaft. The dragon's body was gone, only a pile of goo to show it had ever been there. The soldiers still lay where they had fallen. Finally we reached the shaft.
"I will be last to guard our rear. Everyone else up the shaft." Stain was weary yet determined. We all stepped into the shaft and headed upwards into the darkness.
* * *
"There seems to be a large mix of various people involved in this campaign The girl who Victor said was from a local village not too far from here. The soldiers were hired mercenaries from outside the kingdom. And the man who was running the operation here seems to come from a distant land. He was, I believe, from the same area of the world as Mei-Lin." Stain had called us all together the day after the rescue mission.
Raven asked, "Why would a mage from that area have any desire to be involved in the kingdom business?"
Mei-Lin answered this, "This mage would have been known as a free mage. One for hire. No loyalties, no alliances, just pay. Someone paid him to do what he did. That is the only reason he would have been involved." Her tone made it obvious how she felt about a mage like what she described.
"So we have mercenaries and even a mercenary mage. Someone hired them to do what? Spy on us? Was their mission to capture Charles or was that just a crime of opportunity?" Victor was aggravated
Stain laid a hand on Victor's shoulder, "We are still figuring all of this out. However, I do know that there was some work involved in kidnapping Charles and bringing Sophie in to take his place. So there was some plan there."
Sophie nodded, "It took me some time to get here, but they never hesitated about where I was going."
"So that was at least a part of the plan. Why all the soldiers though?" Victor asked.
Stain looked around, "Other than those in the room here, how many high level mages are here on the mountain?"
Victor looked around, "Mei-Lin and Gavin are the strongest mages here other than myself. Everyone else is basically low power and inexperienced. We offer more a retreat than anything else."
Stain looked at Mei-Lin and Gavin. "When did you arrive to the mountain?"
Gavin looked at Mei-Lin, "Maybe five days before your group arrived."
"Was your trip planned?" Stain started pacing.
Mei-Lin replied, "No. The Recluse paid us a visit. He instructed us to make the trip. He explained how things were progressing with your group and that we might be needed."
"Wait." Conium looked around. "This sounds as if we stopped a major attack. Is that what happened?"
Stain nodded and sat back down. "That is what seems to have happened. With Mei-Lin and Gavin here they hesitated, knowing they were both battle mages. Then when we arrived they decided to try for Ott and Raven." He looked around, "I think they were going to take the mountain top."
"Over my dead body!" Victor jumped up, furious that someone would dare do such a thing.
Stain looked at him and gave a half-smile. "That was the idea I assume. You would have been hard pressed to fight all those soldiers, the dragon, and the mage while protecting the rest of those here. Plus the young lady who betrayed you could have simply poisoned you."
Victor looked stunned by this revelation and flopped back down. "You do not think I could have held them off?"
Stain looked at Victor and pulled a small bag from his pocket. Tossing this at Victor he commented, "Not if they used this."
Victor opened the bag and pulled out an amulet and went ashen. "How did they have this?"
Stain looked around. "I would rather find that out quietly. Please put it back and let me have it."
Victor put the amulet back in the bag and handed it to Stain, his hands shaking. "I would love to know what the results of your quiet investigation." His tone made it clear that he expected a full report.
Stain gave Victor a look and nodded. He put the bag back in his pocket. "This will change things. How I planned on progressing." He looked around at the group and stated. "We have a major problem, there seems to be a massive movement against the kingdom. I had thought it was an isolated attack against us earlier, however, with this latest information and how effective this attack was organized leaves us with an issue. We need to leave immediately and to head to our next location." He looked at Mei-Lin and Gavin. "I think you two should stay here for a bit. Victor might still be a target, that was a lot of resources to lose. The backer might not give up so easily"
Mei-Lin and Gavin both nodded. "We would be pleased to stay here for a bit. The air is fine up here." Gavin stated.
Stain turned to Conium and Raven, "You two should be prepared to leave in the morning." He turned to me, "You also. We will be leaving at first light."
I nodded, so much for spending much more time at the mountain.
* * *
The next morning found the group once again loading all our worldly belongings onto Tag and Evins. As we loaded we listened to the two pack animals in how each item needed to be arranged. Eventually all the various equipment, luggage, and items were loaded safely and the two were ready to leave. We all had a small pack, weapons, and food that we would carry. Meeting at the main hall we were all grim, yet ready to travel.
"We need to get under way." Stain stated this dryly.
Victor nodded and walked over to me. "I feel that your instruction is not complete, yet I think you are knowledgeable enough to survive. Learn your lessons, gain experience, you will need your wits." He turned to Raven. "I think you have quite a ways to go young lady, however I think you will be a superb addition to the ranks of mages." Grabbing Stain's hand he pulled Stain close and hugged him. "Your stay was much too short my friend. Come back when this mess is over."
Stain hugged Victor back and mummered something in Victor's ear. Victor laughed and shook his head. They stepped back and Stain looked around. "That is it. Let us head down the mountain."
As we walked out of the compound a thought came to mind. "Stain?" I queried my master.
"You have a question?" Stain kept walking.
"Why do we not take the shafts down into the mountain?" I figured this would be a faster way to travel.
Stain chuckled and stated, "I think I will allow you to figure that one out." He continued walking, heading out through the gate and down the path etched into the mountain.
I stopped and thought a moment. Raven poked me as she walked past. "You are a silly boy sometimes."
I blushed at her comment. Obviously she knew the answer already. I started walking again. Evidently I walked deep in thought for quite a bit of time because the next thing I realized was Stain calling a halt for a few moments. I looked around and saw that we had made it quite a ways down the mountain. This time we were traveling on the outside of the mountain. We were just above all the trees.
"Figure it out yet?" Stain prodded me.
I looked at him and shook my head. "It just is not coming to me why."
Stain nodded and smiled, "Tag and Evins would not fit in the shafts. Their shells are simply too big."
I looked over at the two pack shells and shook my head. "That never occurred to me. Thanks."
Raven handed me a drink. "You need to
drink plenty of water. We have a long way to go and you can not allow yourself to get overly thirsty."
I took a deep drink and smiled. The water was crisp and cool. A shadow flitted over us. Looking up I saw Conium riding her owl high above us, keeping watch for dangers.
We sat a few more minutes, enjoying a few moments of rest.
"Well, we need to keep going. There is a bridge I want to reach before nightfall. We will camp there and then cross in the morning." Stain stood up and motioned us all to rise and continue down the path.
"Were exactly are we going Stain?" I risked another idiotic question.
I could practically hear the smile in Stain's voice when he posed his own question, "Well Ott. What magic's have you learned so far?"
I thought a moment. "Earth, water, and wind."
Stain's head nodded, "Correct. So what is left?"
"Fire." This was the obvious answer I thought.
"Very good. So we are on the way to the main settlement that focuses on magical exploration and teaching in the area of fire magic. It actually does not lie that far away from our current location. However the path is dangerous." Stain continued walking while talking. He was setting a brisk pace.
"Where exactly is that?" Raven posed the question this time.
"Well, that is a closely guarded secret. You will have to just wait and see. I think you shall enjoy yourselves." With that Stain refused to answer any more question about our future destination.
I fell back and decided to talk to Tag. "So, have you been to this fire magic area?"
Tag looked up at me and laughed. "You have to try harder young man. I give up no secrets."
Evins chuckled as he floated behind Tag. "Perhaps you should just enjoy the walk. It is good for the body."
I looked up at Evins and smiled, "You do not walk, what would you know of it?"
Evins looked at me and smiled, "I might not walk, but I can use my eyes. When people walk they stay in better shape. You could use the exercise, you have gotten a little soft in the middle." He smiled wider at my expression. "March boy. Time to work off all that rich food."
A Deepening Knowledge (A Life of Magic) Page 21
